Blog 6/7: Free Labor in the Digital Economy & the Deadly Labor Behind our Technology

Stefana Broadbent’s Ted Talk, “How the internet enables intimacy” looks at how the internet has become a “democratization of intimacy”. We are progressing into this modern world where communication technology such as; texting, facebook, IM are actually cultivating deeper relationships rather than spoiling human intimacy. The world is breaking an imposed isolation that institutions are imposing on people. Over 50 years ago, when you went to work, or institution, during the day there was this focus, this full commitment to the task at hand. People would go about their day not able to talk to those they enjoy or love. Now, there is this great possibility to be in contact throughout the entire day. She uses an example of a baker who works early in the morning and hours later in the morning, he sneaks away to call his wife to wish her a good day when she is starting her day. Its taking a moment to chat whether it be email or IM at work or students sneak text messages at school. Even using social networks at institutions is turning into a common norm. Its this idea of possibility that she points out where people are able to communicate and connect with people we love most through the use of our new technologies, that other generations before never had before. For example she tells us of a couple who each week sets up a Skype webcam at the dinner table to “eat dinner” with their other family across the globe. The close connection we can get through technology aids this degree of intimacy with one another at anytime, at all times.

Institutions try to block the movement of greater possibility of intimacy and have social control for who has the right to self determine their attentions to be isolated. Work and schools try to enforce these “codes” by taking away cell phones, creating fines, or use a version of punishment to make sure people are focused. I agree that there are times when it is ineffective and somewhat distracting to be using communication technology, BUT like everything else moderation is key. It is important to be focused at school and to be hard working when at work, yet if studies are done, if such work is completed and it does not interfere with what is expected, then I don’t see why people can’t take a second to check their private email, facebook, text messages, etc.

In Sophia Cheng's article “The Deadly Labor Behind our Phones, Laptops, and Consumer Gadgets” we are reminded that getting to use these devices are a privilege in itself. While we are using these gadgets on a day to day basis, to ease or communication with one another, poor developing countries are slaving away with nothing else but making these “gadgets” for us at a cost no one would work for in America. People are in a factory working way too long of hours, making less than a dollar each day, hurting themselves making the products, and then head home for bed only to start the same day all over again.

I agree that technology has helped us into a better intimacy and connection with one another but it is to that extra degree that I believe is wrong. When we are constantly on our technology sometimes we forget how to be intimate in actual reality. Are need for having not just a smartphone (similar to a small computer at hand) but in addition we must also have a laptop, tablet, ipod, etc. While all these devices are incredible and enjoyable to use we must understand that there are countries of people suffering to make what we hold so much value to. We need to start critically thinking about when and how we are using our technology on a day to day basis, and how it is effecting not only us but the people producing these “gadgets” for our ongoing cycle of consumerism.

Photo of the working conditions in a factory in China for electronics